Tuesday, 15 March 2016

World's first microbiology museum

The world's first public museum about all things microbial is in Amsterdam, in The Netherlands. It is called Micropia.

Micropia is the world's first museum dedicated to microbes and micro-organisms, which actually make up two-thirds of all living matter.

At a cost of €10 million, Micropia opened in October 2014 and is part of the Royal Artis Zoo complex in the Plantage district of Amsterdam.

The museum is located on Artisplein which is a public square also recently opened at Artis. On entering you can purchase tickets on the ground floor and then take the lift ride up to the first floor - as you ascend look up to watch an animation about the mites living on your eyelashes and the even smaller bacteria and viruses living on those mites!

Micropia Essential Info

Opening Times: Daily 0900-1800 (Sun-Wed) and 0900-2000 (Thu-Sat).

Admission Prices (2016): €14 for adults, €12 for children 3-9, €7.50 for students, free for children 0-2. Note that Museumkaart and Iamsterdam City Card are NOT valid at Micropia. Combined Artis+Micropia tickets are €27.50 for adults, €23.50 for children 3-9.

Getting There: Artis/Micropia can be reached from the centre of Amsterdam on foot - head towards Waterlooplein and continue further east along the Plantage Middenlaan. By public transport you can take tram 14 from Dam Square or tram 9 from Central Station to stopPlantage Kerklaan.